Blue Heron Industries, Inc., CEO, Kevin Kelly (left) joined a world class panel of experts in the field of digital textile printing in Orlando, Florida for a lively debate on the state of the industry. Joining Mr. Kelly were Dr. Mike Fralix, CEO of TC2, John Provost, Editor of Digital Textile Magazine and John Scrimshaw, Editor of World Textile Information Network. Mr. Scrimshaw served as moderator. The debate was part of FESPA 2011 and was produced under the organizations Innovation Theater banner. The event was in February.

After the debate Kelly stated, “This was an honor to participate with such distinguished members of the digital printing community. John Provost is one of the world’s foremost authorities on CMYK color and is widely credited with being a major participant in the creation of ink-jet technology for fabric. I believe that I brought a unique perspective to this debate because our focus is on the newer technology of direct-to-garment printing on custom t-shirts. Despite our different niches, we are all ink-jetting on to fabric in an industrial manner.  John Scrimshaw was great in that he posed so many pertinent questions and gave the audience quite a show. Provost’s introduction and industry overview was incredibly informative and really served to illustrate the potential growth of digital textile printing over the coming years. I feel very lucky to be considered a leader in the DTG T-Shirt printing industry in the USA. This is all so new and there are only a few of us at the top of the game at this point and we are all printing on Kornit machines. Dr. Fralix has some really great practical ink jetting experience that is beyond the norm of most industry folks. This crowd is at the top of the industry.”

Kelly added that the state of the direct-to-garment custom t-shirt printing world is currently in a state of flux due to misperceptions of the technology and a flow of information that is based on sales pitches rather than solid technical information. Kelly finished by saying, "Call me skeptic but I think the bulk of the people in the DTG printing business have not tapped the full potential of the technology due to their equipment limitations. Our involvement with the Kornit technology has allowed us to do things in the production area and in art room that others have been unable to achieve in the digital custom t-shirt world."

FESPA is a federation of global screen, textile and digital printing trade association servicing it's members and the print community at large.

Blue Heron Industries, Inc is widely regarded as the top direct-to-garment printer in the USA. The company specializes in printing on black custom t-shirts. Kevin Kelly is a published author on the subject of direct-to-garment printing of custom tee shirts and other apparel.